Collective objects management system with object identification using addressable decoder units

ABSTRACT

A collective objects management system for objects such as documents contained in file folders in drawers of file cabinets. Each file folder has an electrical circuit with a visible indicator mounted on the file folder. Each folder circuit has an address decoder with a unique system address which generates a VALID signal whenever an incoming address from a source is a match. A local microcomputer and optional encoder receive incoming object identification signals from the source and supplies the desired object address to all the file folders in the cabinet. To aid the user, each file drawer has a visible indicator mounted on the front panel, the panel indicator being illuminated when the sought folder is contained in that drawer. The invention can be applied to a wide variety of collective objects management systems, such as supermarkets, automobile parts distributors, and various manufacturing operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to collective objects management systems ingeneral, and in particular to an improved collective objects managementsystem using object identification with digital decoders having uniqueaddresses.

The term “collective objects management systems” is a term coined todenote systems for generally keeping track of items (“objects”) in acollection of items. For example, an automobile parts warehouse at anygiven time has a collection of vehicle parts (“objects”) in inventory.The kind and number of such parts varies every day, as parts are soldand new parts are received. In order to keep track of the number andkind of vehicle parts in inventory, some type of collective vehicleparts management system must be used. Similarly, in a semiconductormanufacturing operation, at any given time there is a collection ofintegrated circuits (“objects”) of one or more types located somewherein the facility, which must be accounted for using a collectiveintegrated circuits management system. In supermarkets, a collection ofa large number of different types of items, such as meats, produce,canned goods and the like is usually in inventory, with the number andtypes of objects varying widely on a daily basis and thus requiring acomplex objects management system. In business offices and some homes,file storage cabinets are typically used to store documents used forboth business and personal activities. A typical file storage cabinethas several pull-out drawers each containing a relatively large numberof file folders (“objects”), with each folder containing one or moredocuments. In order to enable the documents contained in the variousfiles to be readily accessed, some type of file management system isnecessary.

In the case of file storage management, each file folder is typicallyprovided with a tab portion visible when the file drawer is opened(usually along the upper edge of the folder) and containing readableinformation describing the content of the folder. The readableinformation is typically a short form of identification, such as anaccount name, a subject name (e.g., “Utilities Bills”) or the like.

In order to provide ready access to the individual documents containedin the folders, some type of indexing arrangement is normally used toidentify the drawer location of each folder. A simple technique commonlyemployed is an alphabetical index card placed on the front panel of eachdrawer listing the file folders in alphabetical order. For example, onefile drawer panel might have an index card listing files starting withthe letters A-F, another drawer might have an index card listing filesstarting with the letters G-L, etc. Frequently, more sophisticatedindexing arrangements are used, such as a computer-based index listingall files by a short form identifier and a corresponding enlarged andmore thorough description of the file contents. Even such computer-basedarrangements still require the use of a readable tab or tag on each filefolder in order to identify a given folder to a user. This is highlyundesirable, since it facilitates the search by any unauthorized userfor a specific file name or for a file containing information of aparticular type. Nevertheless, known file management systems require theuse of visible tabs or tags in order for the files to be reasonablylocatable.

In those applications in which several individuals have access to thefile drawer contents, some arrangement is usually made to monitor thedisposition of the files. For example, in a business application, it isconvenient and sometimes necessary to provide a sign out and returnprocedure so that the whereabouts of a given file will always be known.Usually, such monitoring attempts fail to accurately track the filesbecause of the failure of individuals to faithfully follow theprocedure. Consequently, at any given time, the integrity of the filemanagement system can only be verified by actually looking through eachfile drawer and checking the file folders and their contents with themaster index. This requirement is both time-consuming and burdensome,and thus a severe disadvantage.

In known file management systems of the type described above, once afile folder is provided with a contents identifier, that folder ispermanently associated with the nature of its contents. To change thecontents to some other category, the folder must either be thrown awayand a new, unmarked folder substituted in its place, or theidentification label must be changed. In addition, the master index mustbe up-dated, either manually or by using the computer in acomputer-based indexing system. These procedures are not always followedby office personnel, and the integrity of the file system isconsequently compromised.

In all examples of known collective objects management systems, eitherthe containers for the different objects or the objects themselves areusually provided with some type of human readable or machine readableidentification indicia, such as a label or tag affixed to the object orthe container. In more sophisticated systems, a computer is used toassist in keeping track of the objects. When an object is removed fromthe usual location, some procedure is typically used to note the factthat that object has been removed from its normal location. This isaccomplished either by operator entry of the change into the systemcomputer, or by using tag or label reading devices (e.g., bar codereaders) to enter the information into the system computer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,875 issued Nov. 2, 1999 for “Collective ObjectsManagement System Using R.F. Object Identification”, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a collectiveobjects management system which eliminates the disadvantages noted abovewith file management systems. In addition, the collective objectsmanagement system disclosed in the '875 U.S. patent provides a simpleand efficient way to find a desired object stored somewhere in a largecollection of different objects. The system disclosed in the '875 U.S.patent uses R.F. sensitive circuits to maintain control of all objectsin a collection. Each object has an associated R.F. sensitive circuitwhich resonates at a unique frequency when an R.F. signal at that uniquefrequency is received by the circuit, and an indicator coupled to theR.F. circuit for identifying the object to a human operator. Theindicator is preferably a visible indicator—such as an LED-coupled tothe object or the container for the object and which can readily be seenby a human operator. Alternatively, an audible indicator—such as abuzzer—can be used.

In a specific implementation of the invention in a file managementsystem, a folder circuit is included in each file folder to be placed ina file drawer. Each folder circuit has a crystal responsive to aparticular R.F. frequency, with the resonant frequency of a givencrystal different from the resonant frequencies of all the othercrystals. Each folder circuit is electrically coupled to a drawer signalinput/output using the electrically conductive upper support railsusually found in conventional file cabinets. One of the rails ismodified by electrically isolating that rail from the remainingelectrically conductive elements in the drawer.

Each folder circuit includes an indicator, preferably an LED visibleindicator, mounted along the upper margin of the folder in a locationvisible to a user when the drawer is opened. In addition, each drawer isprovided with an indicator, preferably a flashing LED visible indicator,mounted on the front panel of the drawer. A current detector circuit isused to control the state of the drawer panel indicator.

All drawer input/output terminals are electrically coupled in parallelto an associated computer, either using dedicated connectors (i.e., hardwired) or transceivers (i.e., wireless communication). The computerincludes an R.F. signal generator capable of generating signals matchingall the crystal frequencies. To find a file, a user specifies that fileto the computer, typically by using a keyboard or a mouse. The computercauses the R.F. signal generator to generate an R.F. signal whosefrequency matches that of the specified file. The R.F. signal istransmitted to all the file cabinets in the system, and thus to all thefile drawers. If the specified file is located in any one of thedrawers, the indicator on the front panel of the drawer containing thatfile folder, and the indicator of the correct file folder, are bothactivated. The user then opens the drawer with the active panelindicator and removes the file folder with the active file folderindicator.

As applied to a file management system, the collective objectsmanagement system disclosed in the '875 U.S. Patent eliminates the needfor readable tabs or tags on each file folder, since the correct filefolder is designated by the activated indicator. Also, the nature of afile folder can be changed by simply entering the necessary informationinto the computer. In addition, the integrity of the entire file systemcan be checked by using an R.F. sweep frequency generator to sweep theentire frequency range of crystal frequencies and detecting anyfrequency for which a resonant response is absent. The system can bereadily and conveniently incorporated into existing file cabinets havingthe electrically conductive dual rail folder support mechanism. Forother types of collective objects management systems, such as auto partswarehouses and integrated circuit manufacturing operations, the systemcan be implemented using standard object containers of known design.

As noted above, in the '875 system each object has an associated R.F.sensitive circuit having a single crystal which resonates at a uniquefrequency when an R.F. signal at that unique frequency is received bythe circuit. This arrangement provides a unique one-to-onecorrespondence between an object and a given frequency. In a collectiveobjects management system having a large number of objects, such as somefile management systems with a large number of files, a correspondinglylarge number of crystals each having a resonant frequency different fromall the other crystals is required. In order to guard against incorrectcrystal activation it has been found useful to impose a minimumfrequency separation between all crystals in the collection of crystalsin the system. For example, in a system designed to operate over afrequency range of about 2 to about 20 mHz., a minimum crystal frequencyseparation of 1 kHz has been found to provide good results. The minimumfrequency separation requirement, however, imposes an upper limit on thetotal number of crystals which can be used in the system, which placesan upper limit on the total number of objects which can be accommodatedby the system.

Commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/586,552 filed Sep. 24, 2009 for “Collective Objects Management SystemUsing R.F. Object Identification With Multiple Crystals” discloses animprovement over the basic technique disclosed in the '875 U.S. patent.The improvement increases the potential number of objects which can beaccommodated by a given system by providing more than one crystal foreach R.F. sensitive circuit associated to a given object. By using twoor more crystals in each file folder circuit, the total number ofindividual frequencies required to uniquely identify the collection offolders in a given system is significantly reduced. For example, inorder to uniquely identify 20,000 different file folders, slightly lessthan 200 different paired frequencies are required for a system havingtwo crystals in each R.F. sensitive circuit (as compared to 20,000individual frequencies required in the single crystal system). Eventhough at least twice the number of crystals are needed in systemsincorporating this improvement (as compared to systems using only asingle crystal), the individual crystals can be selected from a stock ofpremanufactured crystals having standard resonant frequencies (asopposed to crystals which must be custom manufactured to provide aspectrum of resonant frequencies each separated from the others by afixed frequency separation of 1 kHz), resulting in a substantial overallcost saving. In addition, this improvement provides a substantialexpansion of the potential object (file folder) population in a givensystem due to the use of two or more crystals in each object (filefolder) circuit. Thus, given a system constrained by the availablefrequency spectrum of choice (e.g., 2 mHz-20 mHz), this improvementaffords the possibility of accommodating an object population which isseveral orders of magnitude greater than that afforded by the singlecrystal technique. Further, the improvement affords the advantages notedabove without sacrificing any of the advantages inherent in the singlecrystal system.

Collective objects management systems using R.F. sensitive circuits andone or more R.F. signal generators are subject to radiation standardsimposed by governmental authorities in most developed industrialcountries. In such countries, before any R.F. system can be legallydeployed it must be submitted for testing and approved by the regulatoryauthority having jurisdiction over such devices. In many cases, thistesting requirement is relatively costly and time consuming, which actsas a deterrent to the implementation of such systems. In addition, anyimprovements and modifications to an approved R.F. signal generatorrequires that the system be again submitted, tested and approved in itsmodified form, which acts as a further deterrent to the implementationof R.F. based systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a collective objects management system whichoffers the advantages noted above for R.F. based systems, but whichavoids the need for R.F. radiation testing and is therefore less costly,easier, and quicker to implement than systems which rely on R.F.radiation transmission.

From a device aspect, the invention comprises a device for enabling themanagement of objects distributed in an object location space, thedevice comprising a receptacle for an object, such as a file folder forone or more associated documents, the receptacle having a plurality ofelectrically conductive members, at least one of which receives addresssignals supplied by a source, such as a remote system computer; anaddress decoder circuit associated to the object, the address decodercircuit having a unique system address, the address decoder circuitfurther having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals inelectrical contact with the plurality of electrically conductivemembers; and an indicator, such as a visible indicator (e.g., an LED),coupled to the address decoder circuit for activation whenever theaddress decoder circuit detects an address signal present on at leastone of the plurality of electrically conductive members andrepresentative of the unique system address of that address decodercircuit.

Associated with all such devices may be an encoder for generating theaddress signals, the encoder having at least one input terminal forreceiving object identification signals from the supply device, at leastone output terminal coupled to the address decoder circuit, andcircuitry for generating a signal representative of the unique systemaddress of the object specified by the object identification signals.

In a specific embodiment, the receptacle comprises a file folder havinga pair of support braces, one of the support braces containing theplurality of electrically conductive members; and the address decodercircuit and the indicator are carried by that one of the support bracescontaining the plurality of electrically conductive members. In thisembodiment, the support brace containing the plurality of electricallyconductive members comprises an elongate body structure formed from anelectrically non-conductive material with a pair of opposite ends, eachend having a downwardly opening cut-out channel provided with a pair ofspring contacts secured to the elongate body structure, each springcontact being electrically coupled to a different one of the pluralityof electrically conductive members. To ensure proper mechanicalinstallation, each spring contact has a free end which is received in acorresponding slot formed in the elongate body structure adjacent theends thereof. To ensure proper orientation of a file folder duringinstallation, the width of the cut-out channel at one of the oppositeends of the elongate body structure is different from the width of thecut-out channel at the other one of the opposite ends of the elongatebody structure.

Preferably, each file folder has an upper margin; and the indicator ismounted to the file folder in a position extending above the uppermargin for good visibility.

From a system standpoint, the invention comprises a system for managingobjects distributed in an object location space, the system comprising:

a container, such as a file drawer, having a plurality of mutuallyelectrically isolated electrically conductive paths, at least one ofwhich can receive address signals supplied by a source and specifying asought object;

a plurality of object receptacles positioned in the container, each ofthe plurality of object receptacles having

-   -   (a) a plurality of electrically conductive members, each of        which is electrically coupled to a different one of the        plurality of mutually electrically isolated electrically        conductive paths;    -   (b) an address decoder circuit associated to an object in the        receptacle, the address decoder circuit having a unique system        address, the address decoder circuit further having a plurality        of electrically conductive terminals in electrical contact with        the plurality of electrically conductive members; and    -   (c) an indicator, such as a visible indicator (e.g., an LED)        coupled to the address decoder circuit for activation whenever        the address decoder circuit detects an address signal present on        at least one of the plurality of electrically conductive members        and representative of the unique system address.

The system further includes a source comprising an encoder forgenerating the address signals, the encoder having at least one inputterminal for receiving object identification signals from a supplydevice, at least one output terminal coupled to each address decodercircuit of the plurality of object receptacles, and circuitry forgenerating a signal representative of the unique system address of theobject specified by the object identification signals.

In a specific embodiment, the container comprises a file folder drawer;and each object receptacle comprises a file folder having a pair ofsupport braces, with one of the support braces containing the pluralityof electrically conductive members. In this embodiment, the addressdecoder circuit and the indicator of each of the object receptacles arecarried by one of the two support braces of each file folder.

Preferably, each file folder has an upper margin, and each indicator ismounted to the corresponding file folder in a position extending abovethe upper margin so as to be noticeable when the file folder drawer isin an opened position.

The file folder drawer includes at least two electrically non-conductivesupport members on which different ones of the plurality of mutuallyelectrically isolated electrically conductive paths are located. One ofthe support braces of each of the plurality of object receptaclescomprises an elongate body structure formed from an electricallynon-conductive material with a pair of opposite ends, each end having adownwardly opening cut-out channel provided with a pair of springcontacts secured to the elongate body structure, with each springcontact being electrically coupled to a different one of the pluralityof electrically conductive members. Each end of the one of the supportbraces of the plurality of object receptacles is supported by adifferent one of the at least two electrically non-conductive supportmembers when received in the file folder drawer.

The two laterally spaced electrically non-conductive support members ofthe file folder drawer each has a width, with the width of eachelectrically non-conductive support member being different from theother. Similarly, the width of the cut-out channel at one of theopposite ends of the elongate body structure of each of the file foldersis different from the width of the cut-out channel at the other one ofthe opposite ends of the elongate body structure of each of the filefolders so that a given file folder can only be removable secured to thetwo support members in one proper orientation with each of the springcontacts in mechanical and electrical contact with the appropriate oneof the electrically conductive paths.

The file folder drawer has a front panel with an additional indicatormounted thereon; and the system further includes circuitry for operatingthe additional indicator whenever an address decoder circuit located inthe file folder drawer detects an address signal present on the at leastone of the plurality of electrically conductive members andrepresentative of the unique system address of that address decoder.

Each address decoder circuit includes circuitry for generating a VALIDsignal whenever that address decoder circuit detects an address signalpresent on the at least one of the plurality of electrically conductivemembers and representative of the unique system address of that addressdecoder circuit.

A microcomputer supplies power signals to the plurality of objectreceptacles via some of the electrically conductive paths, and addresssignals via the at least one of the electrically conductive paths; andreceives VALID signals generated by each address decoder circuit when anincoming address matches a given address decoder circuit system address.The microcomputer also includes circuitry for generating informationsignals identifying the location in the system of any address decodercircuit which generates a VALID signal.

The invention provides objects management capability for objectsdistributed in an object location space comparable to that afforded byR.F. based systems using specific frequency crystals but devoid of thedisadvantages associated with the R.F. regulatory testing and approvalprocess. In addition, the invention can be configured and constructed atless equipment cost than R.F. based systems, primarily due to theelimination of an R.F. signal generator at each object receptaclecontainer site.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of theinvention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple drawer file cabinetillustrating a hard wired embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side perspective view of a single file drawer andfile folder and associated elements according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view partially broken away of a folderbrace bearing the electrical components located at the file folderaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a single folder brace and a pair ofupper support members for the folder brace showing the manner in whichthe folder brace is removably attached to the upper support membersaccording to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an encoder and decoder used to encodeand decode the object addresses according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic top plan view of a single drawer and the majorsystem components of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the single board computer for asingle file cabinet; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a multiple file cabinetarrangement in a wireless embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention has wide application to a large variety of collectiveobject management systems. The following is a detailed description ofone application of the invention in the field of file managementsystems.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view, taken fromthe right front, of a first embodiment of the invention in a filestorage system application and using direct electrical connectionsbetween the file cabinets and the associated computer. As seen in thisFig., a multiple drawer file cabinet 10 (four drawers illustrated) ofknown mechanical construction has the usual top 12, bottom 13, sides 14,15, and back 16. Four drawers 18-21 are slidably mounted in cabinet 10,each drawer 18-21 having a drawer pull 23 mounted on a front panel 25thereof. A visible indicator device 27 is also mounted on the frontpanel 25 of each drawer 18-21. Indicator 27 may comprise any one of anumber of known elements capable of providing a visible signal whenactivated in the manner described below. Examples of suitable indicatorsare a conventional LED indicator, and a type 276-036 flashing LEDindicator available from Radio Shack Corporation.

Lower-most drawer 18 is shown in the opened position in order to providea perspective view of the basic drawer structure and the manner in whicha file folder is removably supported in a file drawer. As shown, drawer18 is provided with a pair of upper support members 28, 29 described indetail below, which serve the primary purpose of supporting individualfile folders, such as file folder 30, in the drawer. Secondarily,support members 28, 29 may also provide structural rigidity for thedrawer 18 itself. Drawer 18 also has a pair of lower members 32, 33(only one of which (member 33) is visible in FIG. 1) which complete thehorizontal structural elements. In a commonly used file cabinetstructure, members 28, 29, 32, and 33 may form an inner frame insert(along with vertically arranged frame members) which can be physicallyinstalled in a standard drawer. To complete the drawer structure, a back34 is connected to the members 28, 29, 32, 33. All file folders, such asfolder 30, are removably supported by upper support members 28, 29 usinghorizontal support braces (described below) to which the folder 30 ismechanically secured. The mechanical structure of folder 30 isconventional. The structure and arrangement of drawers 19-21 areidentical to that of drawer 18. As indicated by the legended lead linesshown to the lower right of file cabinet 10, an A.C. power connectionprovides A.C. electrical power to the electronic components describedbelow and located within file cabinet 10. Similarly, a hard-wiredconnection is coupled between file cabinet 10 and an associated hostcomputer for the purposes described below.

As best shown in FIG. 2, each folder, such as folder 30 depicted in thisFig., is mechanically supported in a removable manner by upper supportmembers 28, 29. Upper support members 28, 29 of each drawer 18-21 areelectrically isolated from the remaining drawer frame structure by meansof insulating elements described below. Also, upper support members 28,29 are each provided with two electrically conductive strips which areconnected by individual conductors to four terminals of a localmicrocomputer 35 located in the filing cabinet 10. These four terminalsare labeled “Data Bus”, “+5V”, “Ground”, and “VALID Signal” in FIG. 2.Microcomputer 35, which is preferably a type AT89C2051 device availablefrom Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., is coupled to a hostcomputer (not illustrated in FIG. 2) and also to a suitable source ofD.C. power (+5V) derived from the A.C. power input noted above.Microcomputer 35 has a pair of output terminals labelled “LED” and“Lock” for controlling the state of indicator 27 and an electricallyoperated drawer lock mechanism 37. The “+5V” and “Ground” terminalsprovide D.C. power to the circuitry located in each file folder locatedin a drawer. The “Data Bus” terminal supplies address information to thefile folder circuitry. The “VALID Signal” terminal receives a VALIDsignal whenever the file folder circuitry of a given folder decodes anaddress received from microcomputer 35 which matches the address of thatfile folder circuitry.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the structure of the primary one of the twohorizontal support braces incorporated into each file folder 30. Theother horizontal brace for each folder is of conventionalelectrically-nonconductive construction. As seen in these Figs., theprimary support brace 40 has an elongate body structure 41 formed from asuitable electrically non-conductive material, such as conventionalcircuit board material, phenolic, or the like. At each end, the elongatebody structure has a cut-out channel 42, 43 having a width slightlylarger than the width of the corresponding upper support member 28, 29.Each cut-out channel 42, 43 is provided with a pair of spring contacts44-47 which are secured to the elongate body structure in any suitablemanner, such as by heat stamping, gluing, or mechanically embedding.Each spring contact has a free end 48-51 which is received in acorresponding slot 52-55 formed in elongate body structure 41. Theseparation distance between the proximate portions of spring contacts44-45, and 46-47 is slightly less than the width of the correspondingupper support member 28, 29 so that effective mechanical and electricalcontact will be made when a primary brace is installed on upper supportmembers 28, 29.

To facilitate correct installation of a primary brace, the widths ofcut-out channels 42, 43 and the separation distances between springcontacts 44, 45 and 46, 47 are substantially different so that a primarybrace can only be installed in one orientation. This is necessary inorder to ensure that the proper electrical connections are made whenevera primary brace in installed in a file drawer.

Correspondingly, the widths of upper support members 28, 29 aredifferent as best depicted in FIG. 4. As seen in this Fig., each uppersupport member 28, 29 has a central core 56 fabricated of electricallynon-conductive material, such as the same material used for thefabrication of elongate body structure 41; and a pair of electricallyconductive strips 57-60 secured to the outer side surfaces and extendingalong the length of upper support members 28, 29. Each electricallyconductive strip 57-60 is dedicated to a different electrical signal,with strip 57 electrically connected to the Data Bus terminal ofmicrocomputer 35, strip 58 electrically connected to the +5V terminal ofmicrocomputer 35, strip 59 connected to the Ground terminal ofmicrocomputer 35, and strip 60 electrically connected to the VALIDSignal terminal of microcomputer 35.

With reference to FIG. 3, each spring contact 44-47 is electricallyconnected to a separate electrically conductive path 62-65, each ofwhich is electrically connected to a different terminal of a decoderintegrated circuit chip 70. Decoder chip 70 is a commercially availabledevice which receives multi-bit address information along Data Busconductor 62 from microcomputer 35, compares this address informationwith a unique address stored in decoder chip 70, generates a VALIDSignal when the received address matches the stored address, andactivates a folder LED 72 mounted on the upper margin of elongate bodystructure 41 of folder 30 in a position so as to be visible when thedrawer is open. The internally generated activation signal for folderLED 72 is latched by the decoder so that, once an address match isdetected, the folder LED 72 activation signal remains active until thedecoder 70 latch is reset by removing the folder from the upper supportmembers 28, 29, or D.C. power is otherwise removed. The VALID signalremains asserted so long as the received address matches the storedaddress and is used by microcomputer 35 to activate the drawer lockmechanism 37 and the drawer indicator 27. Decoder chip 70 is preferablya type PT2272 decoder available from Princeton Technology Corp. ofTaipei, Taiwan.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a single decoder 70 and amatching encoder 80. Encoder 80 is preferably a type PT2262 encoderavailable from Princeton Technology Corp. of Taipei, Taiwan. Encoder 80has a plurality of address input terminals A0-A10 to which address inputsignals are supplied by a host computer (not illustrated in FIG. 5). Anoutput terminal labeled “OUT” serially outputs the address informationsupplied to address input terminals A0-A10. These address outputinformation signals are transmitted via conductor 82 to the addressinput IN of decoder 70. Decoder 70 has a plurality of address inputterminals A0-A10 which are hard-wired to a unique address. In thepreferred implementation, decoder 70 is a tri-state device such that thehard wire connections to address inputs A0-A1—can be either ground, Vccor floating. The address signals generated by encoder 80 are AC coupledto the address IN terminal of decoder 70. When received, the addresssignals from encoder 80 are compared internally of decoder 70 with thehard-wired decoder address signals. If a match occurs, folder LED 72 isactivated and a VALID Signal is generated by decoder 70.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top plan view of a single drawer 18 and the majorsystem components of the invention showing the manner in which aplurality of folder circuits can be physically arranged in a single filedrawer. As seen in this Fig., each folder 30-1, 30-2, . . . 30-n issupported in the drawer in such a manner that the appropriate electricalconnections described above are made with the Data bus, +5V, Ground, andVALID signal conductors of the upper support members 28, 29. The Databus, +5V, Ground, and VALID signal conductors are connected to a singleboard computer 85 shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the single board computer 85 fora single file cabinet 10 operationally connected to the system. As seenin this Fig., single board computer 85 comprises a microcomputer 35 andan encoder 80, both described above, with inputs and outputs as shown.Each file cabinet 10 is supplied with one single board computer 85.Optionally, each single board computer 85 may be provided with a uniqueidentifying address in the system, for identification and maintenancepurposes.

Each single board computer 85 comprising the elements shown in FIG. 7supplies object address signals received from a host computer 75 andencoded by an address encoder 80 located in single board computer 85 toall of the decoder circuits 70 incorporated into the primary supportbraces 40 of each folder 30-1, 30-2, . . . 30-n in the associated filecabinet 10 i. Whenever an object address signal matches the addressencoded into a decoder circuit 70 located in a given folder 30-1, 30-2,. . . 30-n in a given drawer in a given file cabinet 10 i, a VALIDsignal is generated by the decoder circuit 70 of the targeted folder andis coupled to the single board computer 85 in the associated filecabinet 10 i. In response to the receipt of a VALID signal, thecorresponding single board computer 85 generates an operating signal forthe drawer lock 37 of the appropriate drawer and activates the drawerLED 27 of the appropriate drawer in the file cabinet. In addition, thesingle board computer 85 generates a signal which is transmitted back tothe host computer 75 indicating that the object folder has been foundand identifying the drawer and file cabinet in which the file folderwith the correct address is located. As signified by the legended inputs“From DRAWER 19”, “From DRAWER 20”, and “From DRAWER 21”, single boardcomputer 85 responds to a VALID signal from each of these other drawersby generating a signal which is transmitted back to the host computer 75indicating that the object folder has been found and identifying thedrawer and file cabinet in which the file folder with the correctaddress is located. Upon receipt of this information, host computer 75updates the information stored therein by comparing the drawer and filecabinet information received from single board computer 85 with the sameinformation stored in memory, changing the information as necessary, andterminating the object address signals originally transmitted to singleboard computer 85.

To find a file folder in the system, the operator enters the basic fileinformation into host system computer 75, which contains a complete listof file folder addresses, as well as the drawer number and file cabinetID in which each addressable folder is purportedly located. The hostcomputer 75 transmits a file folder request to the single board computer85 in all of the file cabinets 10 i, and the single board computers 85in all of the file cabinets 10 i in the system place the specifiedfolder address on the Data Busses of their respective file cabinets 10i. If the sought file folder is actually located in a given drawer, thesingle board computer 85 in the associated file cabinet 10 i receives aVALID signal from the decoder circuit 70 whose address matches theaddress requested by host computer 75, generates the control signalsdescribed above for the appropriate drawer lock 37 and drawer front LED27, and transmits back to host computer 75 the file cabinet and drawerinformation noted above. When the operator opens the drawer having theilluminated drawer front LED 27, the correct file folder will beindicated by the illuminated file folder LED 72 i. If the file cabinetinformation or drawer location information (or both) do not match thesame information stored in the memory of host computer 75, thisinformation is updated by host computer 75. In the event that there isno file folder 30 i operationally installed in the collection of filecabinets 10 i whose address matches that of the requested address, hostcomputer 75 will note the absence of a response to the file folderaddress inquiry and mark its records accordingly.

The integrity of the entire collection of file folders 30 i can bequickly checked by operating host computer 75 in the sweep address mode.As the addresses are swept over the entire range of possible addresses,all folder circuits which are operationally present in the collection offile cabinets 10 i will respond with a VALID signal and this will bedetected by the corresponding single board computer 85 and transmittedback to host computer 75. The address of any missing or non-functioningfile folder 30 i will not result in the generation of a VALID signal,and this lack of response will be detected by host computer 75. Thisabsence of an operational file folder 30 i of a given specific addresscan be correlated by host computer 75 to the file folder identificationin host computer 75 by noting the addresses of the non-responsive filefolder circuits.

The system may be initially configured by creating a list in hostcomputer 75 of all permissible file folder addresses, installing acollection of file folders 30 i each having a different but permissibleaddress in random drawers in file cabinets 10 i, sequentially generatingthe set of permissible addresses, and correlating the drawer ID and filecabinet ID information for each address for which host computer 75receives this information from a single board computer 85. As newfolders are added to the system, the file folder address, file cabinetand drawer information can be directly entered into host computer 75:since each address is unique, there can be no duplications.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the file management systemimplementation of the invention using wireless communication between theindividual file cabinets 10 i and host computer 75. As seen in thisFig., each cabinet 10 i is provided with a WIFI transceiver 91 i forcommunication with a host computer 90 similarly equipped. WIFItransceivers 91 i are preferably commercially available units which havealready undergone and passed radiation testing, such as a Wibox wirelessdevice server unit available from Lantronix Inc. of Irvine, Calif. Thehost computer 90 is provided with a matching internal WIFI transceiver.Operation of the FIG. 8 system is essentially identical to that of thesystem of FIGS. 1-7, with the exception that the folder identificationsignals are transmitted to file cabinets 10 i using wirelesstransmission and the file cabinet and drawer information signals aretransmitted to host computer 75 using wireless transmission, rather thatthe hard wired connections of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. In addition,there may be additional security considerations to the wirelessembodiment of FIG. 8 in order to prevent unauthorized transmission andreception, and interception, of the WIFI signals.

The invention provides a significant improvement over the R.F basedsystems disclosed in the above-referenced '875 patent and the '552 U.S.patent application. Firstly, by eliminating the R.F. signal generatorfrom each file cabinet 10 i, the need for testing and approval of thesystem by the local regulatory agency is avoided. Also, by using theencoder-decoder arrangement a substantial overall cost saving isrealized by the elimination of the relatively costly R.F. signalgenerators. In addition, the potential object (file folder) populationin a given system is only limited by the number of possible distinctaddress combinations for the encoder—decoder arrangement.

Although the above description is devoted to an implementation of theinvention in the field of file management systems, the invention hasmuch wider application. In general, the invention can be used in anycollective object management system in which the need exists for atechnique for rapidly identifying a given class or type of object from acollection of objects. For example, in an automotive parts warehouseoperation, the objects may be individual vehicle parts (such ascarburetors, alternators, gaskets or the like) stored in bins onshelves. In a manufacturing operation, the objects may be the individualitems manufactured in the plant (such as different types of integratedcircuits manufactured by an integrated circuits manufacturer) containedin individual packages. In any application, the address decoder circuitand indicator associated to a specific object are closely coupled to theobject itself and electrically coupled to a local address encoder sothat the circuits can respond to the reception of a desired objectaddress and activate the indicator in such a way that a human operatorcan locate the object specified by the address.

Although the above provides a full and complete disclosure of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications, alternateconstructions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art.For example, while the invention has been described with reference tospecific address encoder and decoder circuitry, other circuitry may beemployed, depending on the preferences of the system designer. Moreover,while the indicators 27, 64 have been described as visible indicators,other types of indicators, such as audible indicators, may be used, ifdesired. In addition, while the specific circuitry has been describedwith reference to a single file cabinet, it is understood that theinvention may be implemented using multiple file cabinets positioned atthe same or different locations in an office. Further, the invention maybe used to manage a file system of many cabinets positioned at differentphysical locations using an internal or an external computer network, ifdesired. Therefore, the above should not be construed as limiting theinvention, which is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for enabling the management of objectsdistributed in an object location space, said device comprising: areceptacle for an object, said receptacle having at least fourelectrically conductive members, at least one of said electricallyconductive members being provided to receive address signals supplied bya source, said receptacle comprising a file folder having a pair ofsupport braces, one of said support braces containing said at least fourelectrically conductive members; said one of said support bracescomprising an elongate body structure formed from an electricallynon-conductive material with a pair of opposite ends, each end having adownwardly opening cut-out channel provided with a pair of springcontacts secured to the elongate body structure, each spring contactbeing electrically coupled to a different one of said at least fourelectrically conductive members, each said spring contact having a freeend which is received in a corresponding slot formed in said elongatebody structure adjacent the ends thereof so that each said springcontact provides both electrical and mechanical connection to associatednon-conductive support rails each having two conductive portions onopposite sides thereof when said file folder is installed on saidsupport rails; an address decoder circuit associated to said object,said address decoder circuit having a unique system address, saidaddress decoder circuit being carried by said one of said supportbraces, said address decoder circuit further having at least fourelectrically conductive terminals in electrical contact with said atleast four electrically conductive members; and an indicator coupled tosaid address decoder circuit for activation whenever said addressdecoder circuit detects an address signal present on said at least oneof said plurality of electrically conductive members and representativeof said unique system address.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein saidindicator is a visible indicator.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein saidvisible indicator is an LED.
 4. The device of claim 1 further includinga source comprising an encoder for generating said address signals, saidencoder having at least one input terminal for receiving objectidentification signals from a supply device, at least one outputterminal coupled to said address decoder circuit, and circuitry forgenerating a signal representative of the unique system address of theobject specified by said object identification signals.
 5. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the width of each electrically non-conductive supportmember is different from the other and the width of said cut-out channelat one of said opposite ends of said elongate body structure isdifferent from the width of said cut-out channel at the other one ofsaid opposite ends of said elongate body structure so that a given filefolder can only be removably secured to said support members in oneorientation with each of said spring contacts in mechanical andelectrical contact with the appropriate one of said electricallyconductive portions.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein each said springcontact has a free end which is received in a corresponding slot formedin said elongate body structure adjacent the ends thereof.
 7. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said file folder has an upper margin; and whereinsaid indicator is mounted to said file folder in a position extendingabove said upper margin.
 8. A system for managing objects distributed inan object location space, said system comprising: a container comprisinga file folder drawer having at least two electrically non-conductivesupport members and at least four mutually electrically isolatedelectrically conductive paths located on said support members; aplurality of object receptacles positioned in said container, each ofsaid plurality of object receptacles comprising a file folder having apair of support braces an upper margin, and (a) at least fourelectrically conductive members carried by one of said support braces,each of said at least four electrically conductive members of each ofsaid plurality of object receptacles being electrically coupled to adifferent one of said at least four electrically isolated electricallyconductive paths, at least one of said electrically conductive pathsbeing provided to receive address signals supplied by a source; (b) anaddress decoder circuit associated to said object and carried by saidone of said support braces, said address decoder circuit having a uniquesystem address, said address decoder circuit further having at leastfour electrically conductive terminals in electrical contact with saidat least four electrically conductive members; and (c) an indicatorcarried by said one of said support braces and coupled to said addressdecoder circuit for activation whenever said address decoder circuitdetects an address signal present on said at least one of said at leastfour electrically conductive members and representative of said uniquesystem address, each said indicator being mounted to the correspondingfile folder in a position extending above said upper margin so that agiven indicator is visible when the file folder drawer is in an openedposition, one of said support braces of each of said plurality of objectreceptacles comprising an elongate body structure formed from anelectrically non-conductive material with a pair of opposite ends, eachend having a downwardly opening cut-out channel provided with a pair ofspring contacts secured to the elongate body structure, each springcontact being electrically coupled to a different one of said pluralityof electrically conductive members, each end of said one of said supportbraces of said plurality of object receptacles being supported by adifferent one of said at least two electrically non-conductive supportmembers when received in said file folder drawer, wherein said twoelectrically non-conductive support members are laterally spaced witheach having a width, the width of each electrically non-conductivesupport member being different from the other; and wherein the width ofsaid cut-out channel at one of said opposite ends of said elongate bodystructure of each of said file folders is different from the width ofsaid cut-out channel at the other one of said opposite ends of saidelongate body structure of each of said file folders so that a givenfile folder can only be removable secured to said two support members inone orientation with each of said spring contacts in mechanical andelectrical contact with the appropriate one of said electricallyconductive paths.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein said indicator is avisible indicator.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said visibleindicator is an LED.
 11. The system of claim 8 further including asource comprising an encoder for generating said address signals, saidencoder having at least one input terminal for receiving objectidentification signals from a supply device via at least one of saidplurality of mutually electrically isolated electrically conductivepaths, at least one output terminal coupled to each said address decodercircuit of said plurality of object receptacles, and circuitry forgenerating a signal representative of the unique system address of theobject specified by said object identification signals.
 12. The systemof claim 8 wherein said file folder drawer has a front panel having anadditional indicator mounted thereon; and wherein said system furtherincludes circuitry for operating said additional indicator whenever anaddress decoder circuit located in said file folder drawer detects anaddress signal present on said at least one of said plurality ofelectrically conductive members and representative of the unique systemaddress of that address decoder.
 13. The system of claim 8 wherein eachsaid address decoder circuit includes circuitry for generating a VALIDsignal whenever that address decoder circuit detects an address signalpresent on said at least one of said plurality of electricallyconductive members and representative of said unique system address; andfurther including a microcomputer for supplying power signals to saidplurality of object receptacles via some of said electrically conductivepaths, for supplying said address signals via said at least one of saidelectrically conductive paths, and for receiving said VALID signal fromeach said address decoder circuit.
 14. The system of claim 13 whereinsaid microcomputer includes circuitry for generating information signalsidentifying the location in the system of any address decoder circuitwhich generates a VALID signal.